SPIRITUALITY: We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us

Thursday

Apr 20, 2017 at 12:31 PMApr 20, 2017 at 12:31 PM

The Rev. Cal Lord For The Bulletin

I had tears in my eyes. I’m sure that almost everyone in the Weight Watcher meeting knew exactly where he was going with his story. When he finished by saying “and then I had two more,” I couldn’t help myself. I burst out laughing. It’s the curse of the Boston cream doughnut.

I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that I’ve been in the same place so many times over the years. It is usually the ice cream that gets me. Or the pizza. Or those chocolate chip cookies from Subway. I can’t have just one. So when he said he had two more doughnuts, I lost it.

Temptation is a terrible thing. Yet it has been with us almost from the beginning of time. When Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit and disobey God, they became the first in a long line of us who have succumbed to the wiles of the tempter.

In Romans 7 the Apostle Paul explains it this way: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate...” That’s why I went seeking a friend to help me overcome my battle with temptation.

Father Sunil Chandy, rector of Christ Church, and I have been engaged in this weight loss challenge since the first of the year. I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I needed help. Over the last three months Sunil and I have met regularly to encourage each other.

They say there is strength in numbers. We met weekly for prayer. We shared our stories and our struggles. As funny as it sounds, hearing Sunil’s doughnut story actually helped me. I went to the drive-thru window to get my coffee so I couldn’t hear the doughnuts calling my name.

The truth is we face many challenges that have the power to overwhelm us. Temptation comes in many forms. It often seems harmless. A little flirtation here, one more beer for the road, everyone else is doing it, nobody will ever know... and then it’s too late.

The Good news is that we are not alone. The Easter story reminds us that we have a friend who understands. He overcame the temptations of the devil. He is an advocate who will stand beside us to help us overcome anything. That someone is Jesus. Praise God!

Along the way in our weight loss journey, Sunil reminded me that when I am tempted I need to remember Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” So far it is working for me. So I encourage you to remember it, too. You will claim victory.

God bless! See you in church. Cal

The Rev. Cal Lord, of Norwich, is the pastor of Central Baptist Church of Westerly. Reach him at calstigers@gmail.com.

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